Dr Samiran Panda, head of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has stated that the states which did not witness an intense second wave of COVID-19 are now, with a rising trend of COVID-19 infections, exhibiting early signs of the third wave.

Dr Panda explained that it is vital not to consider the country as a whole and rather, consider a state-specific view, as all the states in India are not homogenous. He mentioned that many states had started imposing restrictions and had escalated the vaccinations, as a result of which, the second wave in some states was not as intense. Therefore, there is a scope for a third wave. He added that the rising COVID-19 cases in some states are hinting at a third wave… (NDTV – ANI, August 30, 2021)